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A Strenuous Afternoon 

A Short Scout Play 
that any Troop can Enact 

By E. RUSSELL PATER SON 



All Rights Reserved 



PRICE 15 CENTS 



Published by the 

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 



ORIGINALLY INCORPORATED, FEBRUARYS, 1910 
GRANTED FEDERAL CHARTER BY CONGRESS, JUNE 15, 1 SI 6 



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Other 
Scout Plays 



No. 3045. "Scouts in Camp." 

A Boy Scout play in five acts; 3 

copies or more, 25c. each. 

Singly 35c 

No. 3543. "Be Prepared." A 

Boy Scout play in three acts by 
LeRoy C. Partch. Provides speak- 
ing parts for 22 characters, and 
others may take part in group 
scenes if desired. Requires very 
little stage material and costumes, 
which can easily be provided. Per 
dozen, each 25c. Singly 30c 



Order Through 
Department of Scout Supplies 

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 

200 Fifth Ave., - - NEW YORK 



A Strenuous Afternoon 

Jl Short Scout P/ap 
that any Troop can Enact 

By, 
E. RUSSELL PATERSON 




Copyright, 191 8, by the 
Boy Scouts of Jlmerica 



» * • 






v^ 



A Strenuous Afternoon 



CHARACTERS. 

Scoutmaster, 

Assistant Scoutmaster^ 

Three Patrol Leaders, 

Scouts of Eagle, Buffalo and Wolf Patrols. 

Farmer, 

Tough (from city). 

This play is set for a troop of three patrols. Slight 
changes will adapt it to a troop of any size. 



PEB 19 19)8 

©CI.D 4 9009 



STAGE SETTING. 

Camp Scene — Small table and camp chair 
facing stage entrance at opposite side of 
stage. One other camp chair at back of stage. 
Flag pole with flag raised. 



The play can be produced with no setting 
other than a table and two chairs, in which 
case ceremony of saluting and lowering the 
flag at conclusion will be omitted. 



COSTUMES. 

Scoutmaster and Scouts in uniform. 

Farmer, whiskers. Old, 'wide brim straw 
hat, leather boots, suitable clothing, including 
red bandana handkerchief. Old purse. 

Tough. Old clothes with cap. Slovenly 
appearance. 



Strenuous Afternoon 

(Sc t Master discovered sitting at small table writing busily. 
Enter Assistant Scout Master.) 

A. S. M. Hello, old man, you look busy. 

S. M. Well, I am, rather. Making up report. 

A. S. M. Don't you think this is too fine a day to waste on 
that kind of a job? 

S. M. Yes, but you see we break camp tomorrow, and I 
want to hand in my report to the Local Council as soon as I 
get back to town. I intended to write it up day by day while 
we were here, but — well, you know how such things go. So 
many details to look after that you put off writing and keep 
putting it off until your two weeks is finished before you 
know it, and you find you haven't done more than jot down 
a very brief diary of what's happened. So I made a resolution 
to give the whole of this afternoon to the job. 

A. S. M. Oh, I see. I just came over to find out if your 
fellows would like to join our troop in a game of flag raiding. 
Would you like to send them over? 

S. M. Just as much obliged, but I guess not. Most of 
them have work they want to finish up before they leave camp, 
so I guess they'd better stay here. 

A. S. M. Well, I wish you joy. So long. 

S. M. So long. 

(Exit Assistant Scout Master. Scout Master sets to 
work writing again. Soon looks up.) 

S..M. Guess I'd better see what the patrols will do till 
supper. 

(Rises and gives signal on his whistle for "Rally." All 
scouts of troop run in, salute him, and group around his 
table.) 

S. M. You scouts will remember my announcement this 
morning that I have to spend the afternoon in writing up our 
report for the Local Council, and I want to know what each 
patrol is going to do until supper. First of all I want an 
Orderly to wait over there (pointing to stage entrance) and 
prevent any interruptions. Who'll volunteer? 

(Several hands are raised. Scout Master points to 
scout who raised his first.) 



6 A STRENUOUS AFTERNOON 

S. M. All right, you were first. Now what are you patrols 
going to do? How about the Eagles? 

Patrol Leader of Eagle Patrol. We're going to finish our 
bridge over the stream. 

S. M. All right. And you, Buffaloes? 

Patrol Leader of Buffalo Patrol. We have a lot of test 
work to finish up — sketch maps of the camp, and signalling, 
and things like that. 

S. M. That'll be all right. And the Wolves? 

Patrol Leader of Wolf Patrol. We're orderlies for sup- 
per, and we're going to give you a bang-up feed, so we won't 
have much time to spare. Most of us want to practice first aid 
for our first-class test. 

S. M. That covers everyone. Now please remember that 
I don't want to be disturbed unless it's absolutely necessary. 
You, Orderly, wait over there, and please keep out everybody 
you can. Now clear out, all of you. 

(Scouts salute and run off stage. Scout Master resumes 

writing.) 

S. M. Now let's see. What did we do on Monday? Start- 
ed sketch map work in the morning, and took a hike in the 
afternoon. (Writes busily.) 

(Enter Orderly and salutes.) 

S. M. Yes, what is it? 

Orderly. There's a fellow out here wants to see you, sir. 
He's the chap we've noticed hanging around the camp for the 
last few days. Says he wants to see you specially. 

S. M. All right. Bring him here. 

(Exit Orderly, after saluting. Re-enters with boy dressed 
as tough from city, who shuffles across stage and pulls off 
cap.) 

S. M. Do you want to see me? 

Tough. Yah. How much does it cost tuh jine de scouts? 

S. M. Why, it doesn't cost much — twenty-five cents to have 
your name officially enrolled. You don't have to buy a uni- 
form if you don't care to. But if you get one it will cost 
from two to five dollars extra. Are you thinking of joining? 



A STRENUOUS AFTERNOON 7 

Tough. Dunno. I like de look o' de uniform. What-chuh 
gotta do tuh jine? 

S. M. Why you have to learn a few things and do a little 
work. Then you take your tenderfoot test, and when you 
pass it you take your oath and then you're a tenderfoot scout. 
After that you can work at all sorts of different things, and 
get badges and honors — as many as you want. 

Tough. Eh? D'yuh say work? I t'ought it wuz all play. 
Gee, if it's work, not fer mine! I gets 'miff work in de city. 
I'm out here fer fun. 

S. M. Well, you couldn't join our troop now, anyway, be- 
cause we're going to leave for town tomorrow. But there are 
lots of other troops, and some of them must meet near where 
you live. You could join one of them when you get back. 
When* I said work, I meant the kind that's fun, you know. 

Tough. I ain't ever seen dat kind. 

S. M. Well, perhaps you'd like to see it now. Orderly, get 
someone to show this fellow around the camp a bit, and let 
him watch the scouts working. (To Tough) Then you can 
come back and talk it over with me, if you like it, you know. 

(Orderly salutes and exits with Tough, who still keeps 
mumbling about "Work dat's fun? Never heard o' dat," etc.) 

S. M. There's Monday finished. Now Tuesday morning. 
Hmm. Let's see. Oh, yes, it rained that day, so we stayed 
under canvas and passed a lot of tests. And we had a bath- 
ing suit parade through the brush after dinner. (Writes 
busily again.) 

(Very Small Scout runs in, stops abruptly in center of stage, 
comes stiffly to salute and remains at salute, while he flings 
out, all in one breath) : 

V. S. S. Please, sir, does north-northeast come between 
north and northeast or is it east-northeast or is that between 
east and northeast? 

(Scout Master looks up and grins.) 

S. M. I beg your pardon ? 

(Very Small Scout repeats same thing faster and 

louder than before.) ! 



8 A STRENUOUS AFTERNOON 

S. M. I really haven't time to think that through. Go and 
ask your patrol leader. 

(Very Small Scout salutes and runs off, saying to himself, 
"North-northeast or east-northeast or north-northeast," etc.) 

S. M. Wednesday morning, Wednesday morning. Land 
sports to work off all the surplus energy stored up during the 
rain. They were good, too. Game of follow the trail in the 
afternoon. (Continues writing.) 

(Row occurs behind the scenes, boys talking loudly. 
Scout Master tries to work, but finds out he cannot.) 

S. M. Orderly, Orderly! 

(Enter Orderly, saluting.) 

S. M. Send in whatever patrol leader is nearest.. 

(Orderly salutes again and exits. Patrol Leader enters 
and salutes.) * 

S. M. I asked you fellows to keep quiet so I could write 
this afternoon. I can't work while that row is going on. 

P. L. Well, it wasn't me yelling. I was — 

S. M. (Interrupting quickly) It doesn't matter whether it 
was you or not. Don't you know that you're responsible 
for seeing that the other scouts keep up to the mark? That's 
your job as patrol leader. 

P. L. But it wasn't my patrol — 

S. M. Even that doesn't make any difference. You're an 
officer, and therefore it's up to you to second all my orders. 
Now clear out and see that that noise stops quickly. 

(Patrol Leader salutes and runs off. His whistle sounds 
behind the scenes and row stops suddenly. Scout Master 
nods his head as if satisfied and continues writing.) 

(Injured Scout enters with a rush, from opposite side of 
stage, if possible, holding left wrist with right hand.) 

I. S. Sir, I've hurt my wrist ! 

(Scout Master rises and examines wrist.) 
S. M. Orderly! 

(Orderly enters and salutes. Scout Master does not 
look around.) 
S. M. Send me two scouts. Quick! 

(Orderly salutes and exits.) . j 



A STRENUOUS AFTERNOON 9 

S. M. Sit down in the chair here. 

(Injured Scout sits down while Scout Master continues 
examining wrist. Enter Patrol Leader and Scout at a run. 
They salute.) 

S. M. Here's an injured wrist. Strained, I think. 
(Injured Scout's head suddenly drops forward.) 

S. M. Hello, he's' fainted. Tip that chair back. 

(Patrol Leader and Scout tip chair back until patient's 
head is near ground, steadying him meanwhile. He revives 
and they sit him upright again.) 

S. M. Yes, I'm sure it's strained, and it's just the shock 
that made him faint. Bind up the wrist tightly, and put the 
arm in a sling. 

(Patrol Leader and Scout take off their neckerchiefs, and 
use one to bandage wrist and the other to make a sling.) 

S. M. Now make a chair carry and take him to his tent. 
Make him comfortable there, and bathe his wrist with cold 
water. If it pains too badly call me. 

(Patrol Leader and Scout make chair carry, and take In- 
jured Scout off stage. Scout Master sits down to writing 
again.) 

S. M. Heigh-ho! I've got as far as last Saturday. Let's 
see. Morning — m-m. (Continues writing.) 

(Very Small Scout runs in and salutes hurriedly.) 

V. S. S. (All in a breath) Please, sir, is the Eighth Scout 
Law cheerful or thrifty? 

S. M. What's that? 

V. S. S. Is the Eighth Scout Law cheerful or thrifty? 

S. M. Oh, I see. Eighth Law is "A Scout is cheerful." 

V. S. S. Thank you, sir. (Turns to go off stage.) 

S. M. I say, do you know what the Seventh Law is? 

V. S. S. Yes, sir. "A Scout is obedient." 

S. M. Yes, that's it. (Grinning) Orders were not to bother 
me unless necessary. Understand? 

V. S. S. Yes, sir. 

(Very Small Scout salutes and runs off. Scout Master 
turns to writing again.) 

(Noise is heard behind scenes. Orderly's voice — "But he's 



10 A STRENUOUS AFTERNOON 

very busy, and he can't see anyone unless it's very important." 
Man's voice — "Can't see me, eh? I guess he can. Come on, 
you young scamps," etc., as Farmer enters, pulling along two 
scouts by the ears. Orderly follows. Scout Master rises.) 

Farmer. (Using whatever dialect is local) Heh, be you the 
boss here? 

S. M. Yes, what can I do for you? 

Farmer. Well, do these young good-fer-nothin' scalawags 
belong to you, eh? 

S. M. Yes, I'm responsible for them just now. What's the 
matter ? 

Farmer. Well, what d'you mean by lettin' 'em run through 
my oats makin' a path six foot wide through the best part 
o' the field, an' spoilin' enough to — 

Orderly. (Interrupting and bringing a chair from back of 
stage to Farmer) Will you have a chair sir? 

(Orderly stands beside chair at salute. Farmer stares at 
him, releasing the other two scouts, who stand against back of 
stage side by side, rubbing their ears.) 

Farmer. Wiry, thank you, bub. Think I will. 

(Farmer sits down and Scout Master does the same. Exit 
Orderly. Farmer takes out bandanna handkerchief to mop 
face.) 

Farmer. Well, them two young rascals wuz runnin' through 
my oats makin' tracks four foot wide or so, big 'nough fer a 
team of horses to pass down, an' — 

(Farmer fumbles handkerchief, and drops it to ground. 
Before he can pick it up, one of the two scouts dives for it, 
and hands it to him politely with a salute. Farmer stares at 
him before he takes it.) 

Farmer. Why, thank you, sonny. As I wuz sayin', I caught 
these young shavers of yourn right in the middle o' my best 
oats with a path behind 'em two foot wide if 'twas an inch, 
an' I can't afford to lose money like that. Now why d'you 
let 'em run over the country makin' trouble fer people — 

(Scout runs in with purse in his hand. Stops in 
front of Farmer and salutes.) 



A STRENUOUS AFTERNOON 1 1 

Scout. Is this your purse, sir? I found it on the ground 
just after you passed through the camp. 

(Farmer takes purse and examines.) 

Farmer. Well, by golly ! If that ain't mine. An' there's 
a heap o' cash in it, too, more'n I usually carry round. (Takes 
out money.) Yes, there's the whole dollar an' thirty-five cents 
all right! I wouldn't like to lose all that money, no siree. 
Why thanks, sonny. That wuz a good find all right. 

(Farmer starts to put purse in pocket, but hesitates, then 
opens it and takes out dime, which he holds out to Scout.) 

Farmer." Here y'are sonny. That's fer findin' it fer me. 

Scout. (Saluting) No, thank you, sir. Scouts don't take 
tips for their good turns. (Exits) 

Farmer. (Looking after him open-mouthed, and still hold- 
ing out the money) Well, I'll be — Don't take tips fer good — 
Why, that's the first boy I ever seen — (Turning to Scout 
Master) That's a good boy o' yourn, mister. But as I wuz 
sayin\ These young fellers wuz in my oats walkin' through 
'em, an' some o' the oats wuz trampled down where they'd 
stepped. Now I don't mind havin' boys on my property, but 
they hadn't oughter swish through my oats, had they ? 

S. M. Were you fellows in this gentleman's oat field — on 
your honor? 

Both Scouts. Yes, sir. 

S. M. How far were you in the oats? 

First Scout. About ten paces. 

Second Scout. About fifteen paces. 

First Scout. No, it was only ten because — 

Second Scout. No, I'm sure it was fifteen because — 
(Farmer stares at them.) 

Farmer. Hey, you boys ! Why don't you deny you wuz in 
my oats? No one seen you but me. 

First Scout. We're on our honor, sir. 

Farmer. Well, I never! (To Scout Master.) Is all your 
boys young gentlemen? 

S. M. (Smiling) We try to help them to be gentlemen. 

Farmer. I never did see! Why why— I guess it don't 



12 A STRENUOUS AFTERNOON 

matter anyway. They didn't do no harm. Jes' a step'r two 
in the oats. 

First Scout. No, sir. We were in them quite ten paces ! 

Second Scout. No, it was fifteen, I'm sure ! 

First Scout. (Explaining) We saw a bird fly out of the 
oats and we wanted to find its nest. 

Farmer. What fer, to steal the eggs? Don't you know it's 
wrong. 

First Scout. No, sir, it wasn't to take the eggs. We don't 
do that. Just wanted to see the nest. We're sorry we spoiled 
the oats. , 

Second Scout. Yes, we're sorry, sir. 

Farmer. Well, I never did see, on my life! (To Scout 
Master) It's nothin,' sir, nothin' at'll. Jes' a few straws bent 
down. They'll straighten out again by mornin'. Oh, nothin', 
nothin' at all ! Sorry to have troubled you. 

(Farmer rises and shakes hands with Scout Master.) 

S. M. I'm sorry, sir, if the boys have bothered you. We've 
tried to keep off the crops since we've been here. 

Farmer. I'm sure you have, I'm sure you have. I wisht 
that young nevvy o' mine from the city'd keep offen 'em too. 
Why don't he jine in with you now? I seen him in the 
camp as I come through. 

S. M. Oh, that boy? Well, I shouldn't wonder if he'd join 
a troop when he gets back to the city. We'll see. 

Farmer. I hope so, I hope so. Well, I must be goin'. 
Sorry to waste your time, sir. 'Twas nothin' at all, nothin' 
at all. (Turning to scouts.) Next time you boys comes nigh 
my place, jes' drop in an' have a drink o' milk. Maybe we 
can find some apples, too. Eh, what? Wuz a boy myself once 
on a time. 

S. M. You might like to see our camp before you go. 
Sorry I can't show you around myself, but I'm busy just now. 
These scouts will take you about. 

Farmer. Thank you, sir, thank you. Sorry to trouble you. 
(Exit Farmer with hands on shoulders of scouts, still mutter- 
ing friendly good-byes. Scout Master sits down at his writing 
again.) 



A STRENUOUS AFTERNOON 13 

S. M. Such is Scouting. Now for last Tuesday. (Con- 
tinues writing.) 

(Tough enters excitedly, Orderly following.) 

Tough. Say, mister, it's great! I seen it all, an' it's work 
dat's all fun f er fair ! 

S. M. What have you been watching? 

Tough. Oh I seen dem wavin' little flags round deir heads, 
an' I t'ought dat wuz kids' play, but de guy dat wuz showin' 
me round begun readin' out letters. An' I asks him what he's 
readin', an' he says it's de letters dem kids is wavin' wid de 
flags. An' he explains it tuh me, an' jee, I'd like tuh be able 
tuh wave t'ings like dat ! 

(Tough pretends to expectorate on ground. Orderly 
jumps forward, but too late to stop him.) 

Orderly. We don't do that in this camp. It isn't healthy. 
(Tough wipes mouth with back of hand, and 
looks ashamed.) 

S. M. Yes, that was signalling. It doesn't take long to 
learn it. What else did you see? 

Tough. Oh, den dere wuz a gang dat wuz drawin' little 
t'ings on papers, an' it didn't look like nuttin' at all, but de 
guy he tells me it wuz de camp dey wuz drawin', just like's 
if yuh wuz lookin' down on it frum de sky, an' I seen dat 
wuz right, too, w'en yuh looked at it dat way. 

(Tough starts to expectorate again, Orderly starts forward, 
and Tough remembers and checks himself in time. Repeats 
this at intervals through his speech.) 

S. M. They were drawing sketch maps of the camp. That's 
something you have to do to get your first class badge. 

Tough. Dat's firs' class work, all right. An' den dere wuz 
a gang tyin' each udder up wid hankichers, an' gee, dey looks 
funny ! I starts to laugh at dem, but de guy he tells me dey're 
pretendin' dey're hurt, y'know — busted arms an' legs an' t'ings. 
An' anudder gang wuz finishin' off a bridge acrost a stream, 
all made out o' sticks an' ropes — de bridge, y'know, not de 
stream — but no nails ner iron ner nuttin' t'hold it togedder 
'cept de ropes. An' I t'inks dat's easy, but dey let's me tie 
some o' de knots tuh try it, an' first'ing I knows dey's slippin' 



14 A STRENUOUS AFTERNOON 

all down de sticks. Dat ain't no cinch tyin' dem sticks to- 
gedder so dey'll stay put! 

S. M. No, bridge building looks a bit hard — until you know 
how. But do you think you'd like to join a troop when you 
get back to the city? 

Tough. (Emphatically) Yuh-bet-cher-neck ! 

S. M. Well, we'll see about that when we get there. In 
the meantime you can start learning some of the things you 
have to know before you can take your oath and become a real 
scout. (To Orderly) Take this chap out and get one of 
the scouts to start him on his tenderfoot work. And tell the 
supper orderlies we'll have a visitor tonight. (To Tough) 
You'll stay to supper with us, won't you? 

Tough. Yuh betcher— I mean, t'anks, mister. 

(Exit Orderly and Tough, latter walking behind Orderly, 
holding himself with stiff back, and trying to march military 
fashion. Scout Master continues writing.) 

(Enter Very Small Scout in a rush, followed by Orderly, 
who chases him around stage, Very Small Scout calling out — ) 

V. S. S. Please, sir, how do you do the Fireman's Lift? 

S. M. (Grinning) Here, Orderly, take this young pest out 
and keep him out ! 

(Orderly catches him, and starts to lead him off 
by the scruff of the neck.) 

S. M. Or wait! He wanted to know how to do the Fire- 
man's Lift. You might as well show him. Carry him out 
that way. 

(Orderly lays him on floor, and carries him out with Lift.) 
S. M. Well, I'm getting a few minutes to myself now and 
then. Thursday afternoon. Let me see. Paper chase. (Con- 
tinues writing.) 

(Enter Patrol Leader with scout. They salute.) 
P. L. This chap has just passed his tenderfoot work with 
me, sir. You know we made a special arrangement to let 
him come out to camp with us if he passed his tenderfoot here. 
Can we give him his oath now, sir? There's just about time 
before supper. 



A STRENUOUS AFTERNOON 15 

S. M. (Aside) Might as well give up, I suppose. (To P. L.) 
All right call in the troop. 

(Exit P. L. Whistles sound behind the scenes, and troop 
marches in and forms up for ceremony of taking Scout Oath. 
Oath is taken. Then flag is saluted and lowered. Bugle sounds 
supper calls behind scenes, and scouts are dismissed and run 
off in a hurry.) 

S. M. (Gathering up papers.) Well, old report you're 
pretty hashy, but I guess I can touch you up a bit later. 
Now for supper. That's what I call a strenuous afternoon. 

(Exit S. M.) 

(CURTAIN) 



A STRENUOUS AFTERNOON 

Single copies, postpaid 15c 

Six copies or more • .10c 



Boy Scouts Official Diary for 1918 

Every Troop Member Should Have One— New Features 

The 1918 diary contains a brief statement of the 
history and development of the Boy Scout Move- 
ment. 

A new article on Map making and Map reading 
by F. E. Matthes, of the United States Geological 
Survey, and a new article on the heliograph by the 
same authpr. 

Additional matter concerning camping, an over- 
night hike and a week end camp. 

Illustrations and information concerning the 
insignia of commissioned and non-commissioned 
officers of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. 

Additional events and dates interesting to Scouts 
appear in the calendar. 

Additional sheets for mem- A number of new illustra- 

orandums are added. tions also appear. 

Illustrations of war service No - 301 2 Regular Paper 

emblems. ' Edition 15c 

* .j , > ■:.., , ■ r. No. 3095 Scoutmaster's 

nwf Zl C f ° f the Sema " Edition, stiff cloth. . 25c 

phore alphabet. No 3013 Souvenir Edi . 

Hints on care of the feet. tion, Limp Leather.. 50c 

Every Troop 

Should Have a Record Book 

No. 3516. Scoutmasters' Troop Record Book. 

A loose leaf, three ring binder, size, 8|/2xl 1 inches, 
covered with durable khaki and stamped with black 
lettering. Complete with record blanks, sufficient 
for the average troop for one year. Express, collect. 

$2-50 

Order Through 
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BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 

200 Fifth Ave., - - NEW YORK 



